Buck Hall Farm, Hale Barns

Image: © Anthony O'Neil Taken: Unknown

At the time of this photo, Buck Hall was a privately owned farm which had operated in Hale Barns for over a century and was known, locally, for its potato crop. It became a Grade 2 listed building in 1986 and the farmland was acquired for development as an hotel - The Four Seasons. That hotel was later bought by the Marriott Group and was further extended into their present 4 star airport hotel, being situated rurally but only a mile-and-a-half from the main Manchester terminal. The English Heritage description for Buck Hall is as follows: Farmhouse, now hotel offices. Mid 18C. Flemish bond brickwork with stone dressings and graduated slate roof. Double-depth central-staircase plan with 2 storeys plus attic. (The attached buildings at the rear are not included in this entry.) Stone plinth, rusticated quoins, overhanging eaves and gable stacks one with stone cornice. 3 bays with central 6-panel door which has rusticated surround and oversized keystone. Total of 4 window openings with C20 replacement tripartite sashes, flat brick arches with keystones and stone sills. A similar blank opening above the door contains a heraldic shield and scroll inscribed "DEUS REGIT OMNIA". Sash windows to attic storey in gable. Interior retains turned baluster dogleg staircase. We also have public records information about its former owners: George Goodier Warburton 1840, Dunham, Cheshire to 1919, Hale, Cheshire. Died Aged 79. (Warburton has been a prominent name in Hale and surrounding areas, e.g. note their connection with Arley Hall near Great Budworth.) George was the heir to his grandfather George Goodier's farm at Buck Hall, Hale Barns, George Goodier having acquired the farm between the 1841 and 1851.

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